Two Examples Of Ptsd In Macbeth

Throughout the story of Macbeth, William Shakespeare exhibits how paranoid one can become when experiencing post traumatic stress disorder, otherwise known as PTSD. Macbeth experienced PTSD after his heroism in the Civil and National War where his mental disorder began it’s landslide. During the 1600s, the ideal man was one who was strong, confident, and cared for others more than himself, but given Macbeth’s severe case of PTSD, he is portrayed as insecure, unstable and paranoid. It is evident throughout much of his post war behavior how his attributes have manifested in both his and Scotland’s demise. All of his close friends, supporters, and countrymen turned against him and his brutal dictatorship style. “One of the main symptoms of PTSD

Macbeth’s disorder first unfolds when he and his wife, Lady Macbeth, are planning to murder their close comrade King Duncan. In the early scenes of the play, Macbeth questions his state of mind, and his stress and anxiety causes him to imagine things, “Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand” (2.1.33). In preparation for the murder of King Duncan, Macbeth envisions a bloody dagger hovering there in front of him, that will lead him in the evil ways (execution). Macbeth is trying to cover up his hallucinations, “A dagger of the mind, a false creation, Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?” (2.1.38-39). Macbeth is aware that the dagger is only a figment of his imagination, but he believes it is only because heat (considered a fluid in the Renaissance era) was pressing on his brain which was causing his fever and

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, a common symptom of PTSD is called hyperarousal: “a state of increased psychological and physiological tension marked by such effects as reduced pain tolerance, anxiety, exaggerated startle responses, insomnia, fatigue, and accentuation of personality traits” (USDVA). From this we can conclude that Macbeth, who has recently presented as being an insomniac, has like-symptoms to those suffering from PTSD. Macbeth is fretful towards his restlessness, “Methought, I heard a voice cry, ‘Sleep no more! Macbeth does murther Sleep,’- the innocent Sleep; Sleep that knits up the ravell’d sleave of care, The death of each day’s life, sore labour’s bath, Balm of hurt minds, great Nature’s second course, Chief nourisher in life’s feast” (2.2.34-38). After executing King Duncan, Macbeth fears that his sin will never enable him to sleep again. Macbeth is aware that he is only seeing these “self-delusions” because he isn’t one to commit a crime. “My strange and self-abuse Is the initiate fear, that wants hard use: We are yet but young in deed.” (3.4.141-142). Macbeth is speaking with Lady Macbeth about how inexperienced they are when it comes to committing crimes, Macbeth says that his “self-delusions” are only a result of not being